Artist Central

DJ Z-Trip in Artist Central 2012, photo by Sean MathisDJ Z-Trip in Artist Central 2012, photo by Sean Mathis

SXSW has always been about the music and the people who make it happen. This year, we are proud to bring back Artist Central, an area featuring programming specifically geared towards our musician registrants. Whether you're a pro or beginner, you're sure to learn something new.

Artist Central is open to all artist wristbands, Music and Platinum registrants, and will run from Wednesday, March 13 - Saturday, March 16 in Ballroom E of the Convention Center.

Wednesday, March 13

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Martin Atkins' Band:Smart
Martin Atkins, author of 'Tour:Smart' and 'Welcome to the Music Business: You're Fucked,' is both extremely funny and very smart. Bands usually don't form with business in mind, but once a band starts packing rooms, business surely intrudes. The practical aspects of touring, recording and inter-band relationships can destroy the fun and creativity at the core of the enterprise. A little forethought can help a band over obstacles and onto larger stages. FREE Blueberry muffins!
Martin Atkins

12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
Clinic: Recording Audio w/ Ableton Live 9 & Moog Minitaur
Learn tips and tricks on using Ableton Live and Moog Minitaur while recording audio. Course provided by NYC's electronic music production and DJ school Dubspot.
Chris Petti, Dubspot

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Music Supervisor Pitch Session 1
The new Music Licensing Pitch Sessions offer all registrants and artists direct feedback from licensing, sync, and music supervision experts. They will offer you a glimpse at the viability of licensing your music for different genres of film, TV, commercials and more. You submit your song, tell us what you think it could be used in, and you'll receive honest feedback from our panel.

3:30 PM- 4:30 PM
Inside the Music Supervisors' Brain: Case Studies
This session will provide a unique look into the process of how music supervisors make decisions related to music placements in film and television. Each of the three music supervisors will be paired with an artist, and together present a short piece at the panel that they have worked on beforehand, synched to picture. Each supervisor/artist pair will discuss the process of how the music came about: what musical direction was given to the artist, how the process worked back and forth, why certain musical decisions were made, and how effective the final musical piece is in enhancing the picture. We will also look at previous projects from the supervisors, and let them explain how they came to different musical choices in their work.The audience will leave with a sense of what priorities the music supervisor has to balance when placing music in film & TV, as well as the challenges that artists and composers must adapt to when working in this high-paced, quick turnaround environment.
Jon Bartlett, MEGAPHONO/Kelp Records
Michael Hill
Andrea Von Forester, Firestarter Music LLC
Russell Ziecker, Lionsgate Music & Publishing

5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
The Future of Technology Between Artist and Audience: Real Time Sensors and Beyond
Biosensors are now able to measure crowd motion, mood and more. Whether it be live or for streaming digital media, biosensors allow performances to adapt to audiences so that no two are alike, but each is perfect for the occasion, and unique every time. Technology, music and industry experts will come together to present and imagine future technologies revolutionizing artist-to-audience interactions. Technology that can create music from heart beats, visuals from emotions and audience-adapting experiences are just the beginning.
Marco Della Torre, Basis Science Inc
Jesse Israel, Cantora Records
Ken Hertz, Hertz & Lichtenstein LLP
Paul D Miller (aka DJ Spooky), DJ Spooky That Subliminal Kid

Thursday, March 14

12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
Digital Marketing Bootcamp for Musicians
The five goals of digital marketing are: • Improving your social reach • Increasing your fan engagement • Identifying and engaging influencers • Increasing lead generation • Applying analytics to know what works In this session, Theda Sandiford VP Digital Marketing, Republic Records will present a series of label case studies to illustrate tactics in each of these five areas.
Theda Sandiford, Universal Republic Records

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Music Supervisor Pitch Session 2
Music Licensing Pitch Sessions offer all registrants and artists direct feedback from licensing, sync, and music supervision experts. Get a glimpse at the viability of licensing your music for different genres of film, TV, commercials and more. Submit your song, tell us what you think it could be used in, and you'll receive honest feedback from our panel.

3:30 PM- 4:30 PM
Kickstarter 101
With Amanda Palmers' Kickstarter campaign raising over 1.2 million dollars it seems like it might be the EASY button for funding your project - it isn't. ONLY 50% of Kickstarter projects are funded and there is no margin for error - or a learning curve - the remains of your failed projects will appear on the page like tombstones next time you launch a new, better campaign and erode your credibility before you start. I ran a successful campaign that was 150% funded - let me show you how I did it - and how you can prepare to run a successful campaign yourself.
Martin Atkins
Jenny Owen Youngs, Musician
Jon Ostrow, Cyber PR

5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Clinic: Sound Design w/ Native Instruments Komplete
Learn tips and tricks for synthesis and sampling techniques using Native Instruments Komplete. Course provided by NYC's electronic music production and DJ school Dubspot.
Chris Petti, Dubspot


Friday, March 15

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Songwriter Session: Richard Thompson
Richard Thompson broke musical ground as a teenager as guitarist for Fairport Convention, who defined folk-rock with their classic albums such as 'Liege and Lief' and their stunning performances. Dozens of albums have followed, as his playing and performances draw attention worldwide. With guitar in hand, Thompson will discuss the creative process with Scott Goldman of MusiCares, field questions from attendees, and perform a few songs as well.
Scott Goldman, The GRAMMY Foundation/MusiCares
Richard Thompson

12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
Music Supervisor Pitch Session 3
The new Music Licensing Pitch Sessions offer all registrants and artists direct feedback from licensing, sync, and music supervision experts. They will offer you a glimpse at the viability of licensing your music for different genres of film, TV, commercials and more. You submit your song, tell us what you think it could be used in, and you'll receive honest feedback from our panel.

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
What the Hell Was That?! The Art of Making Mistakes
Corey Taylor - lead vocalist and songwriter for global multi-platinum bands Slipknot and Stone Sour, best-selling author, Grammy winner and Oxford University speaker - will discuss how to embrace the chaos across the creative process, from songwriting to business decisions.
Corey Taylor, Slipknot/Stone Sour

3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
How to Stretch Your Recording Budget
We're constantly being told that the music recording landscape is changing, and that every artist is more empowered than ever since they own a computer. But what does this really mean for the quality and cost of recording an album these days? We'll examine using studios, homes and other spaces to save time and also to focus performances. We'll talk about budgets and how they have changed and not changed. We'll illustrate different ways to get the best records made for the best price.
John Congleton, Elmwood Recording
Larry Crane, Tape Op/Jackpot! Recording
Emily Wells
Erik Wofford, Cacophony Recorders
Dan Workman, SugarHill Studios

5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Screenprinting Workshop
Witness a fast paced, hands-on demonstration of the steps involved in screen printing your own t-shirts. T-shirts have been a mainstay in the merch booth for years and are still as important as ever. Learn what it takes to master the art of DIY t-shirt printing.
Andy Macdougall, Squeegeeville.com


Saturday, March 16

12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
Principles of Pop/Rock Record Making: Songwriting
The song is the key to everything in music Lyrics, melody and song structure often make the difference in achieving a "hit." Small changes have big effects on the song. Seasoned studio and label professionals explore the ways they work with artists to make memorable songs.
Howard Benson, Howard Benson Productions LLC
Marti Frederiksen
Pete Ganbarg, Atlantic Records
David Wolter, RCA Records